Gibraltar and Falklands Integration
- Thread starter Tongera
- Start date
Well, the Spanish blow a fuse. The Argentineans blow several fuses and then scream to the UN a lot. Two more MPs are added to the House of Commons. You might possibly get a push by the other Crown Colonies and British possessions (Channel Islands, St Helena, Ascension, Tristan da Cunha, etc.) for similar integration. It would be... interesting. By the way, the best time for all of the above would either be post WW1 or post WW2. Any later and things become difficult.
Ironically enough...
...A SW England MEP already covers the representation of Gibraltar at Strasbourg, due to Spain refusing to recognise the Gibraltans' legitimate aspirations.
But it's up to the Falklands' Legislative Assembyl what they choose to do...
...A SW England MEP already covers the representation of Gibraltar at Strasbourg, due to Spain refusing to recognise the Gibraltans' legitimate aspirations.
But it's up to the Falklands' Legislative Assembyl what they choose to do...
The best time for this to happen would be immediately post WW2 - and if it did happen then you could expect to see places like Malta (which overwhelmingly supported becoming part of the UK at the time) joining as well.
This would I think, have a chance of causing enough momentum that all the small British Empire territories end up with merger with the UK rather than independence. So the dominions and India and Pakistan and British Africa will still, around the same time as OTL, get full independence but the remaining elements of the empire will probably end up bound together in a single state which will probably cause a foreign and military policy in the UK which would be much more persistently global in outlook than we ended up with OTL.
You could also potentially see other flashpoints down the line - such as Hong Kong (and maybe Singapore) becoming part of the UK rather than what happened OTL which, in turn, would cause a lot more territorial disputes with other nations.
This would I think, have a chance of causing enough momentum that all the small British Empire territories end up with merger with the UK rather than independence. So the dominions and India and Pakistan and British Africa will still, around the same time as OTL, get full independence but the remaining elements of the empire will probably end up bound together in a single state which will probably cause a foreign and military policy in the UK which would be much more persistently global in outlook than we ended up with OTL.
You could also potentially see other flashpoints down the line - such as Hong Kong (and maybe Singapore) becoming part of the UK rather than what happened OTL which, in turn, would cause a lot more territorial disputes with other nations.
True, but what's to say that if there was sufficient political will behind the proposal then an exemption to electoral law wouldn't be made?
It would set a hell of a precedent. What's to stop Hong Kong applying to have an MP or two? How would the Chinese react?
That's going to go down well with China, right?
--
An inner party clerk rushed into Deng's office. Deng looked up from his paperwork.
"What is it, Wei?" he asked. "I am trying to establish new capitalist market system."
Panting for a moment, the clerk regained his composure, and said:
"Sir, we've just received word that the UK is trying to integrate Hong Kong into itself."
It took Deng a moment to process this information, so his reply came out as thus:
"Oh, that's coo- WHAAAAAT?!"
Never mind Hong Kong, what about Pitcairn? If it's okay for an island population of c.2'000 people to have an MP of their own, then why not for an island population of c.60 people too?
Historically this is not an approach that the British Empire ever took with the exception of Ireland, and unlike France with L'Algerie Francaise. An interesting POD would be a more nuanced approach to the 1760's American colonies allowing them representation at Westminster, this would then become a precedent (provided it didn't lead to the War of Independence) to allow other colonies to have parliamentary representation, you could even have an imperial parliament, (imagine the expenses claims!)which could then extend to places like Gib and Falkland Islands.
Devvy
Donor
Malta would beg to differ. The UK offered it the chance to integrate into the UK, only for circumstances to unravel and Malta turn it down eventually.
Well for Gibraltar I'd say any time before Franco died in 1975 is probably best, the Spanish were already picking a fight by closing the border and other harassment so integrating them sets it as democracy versus a military dictatorship. After democratic rule was restored Spain needed to join the European Community to help modernise the country, and they knew it, so if really necessary the UK could always quietly threaten to block their application unless they agree to a few amendments to Treaty of Utrecht with regards to Gibraltar.
Well there was Calais which elected a member of Parliament, and at times they even had two, so even though it's just the other side of the Channel it does kind of set a precedent. Also when there were talks about Malta integrating with the UK after WW2 the offer was for them to get three MPs to represent them at Westminster which would mostly handle defence issues and foreign affairs whilst their retaining control of internal affairs which gives you a more recent example.
There is no need to amend the Treaty of Utrecht. It's very clear, Gibraltar is British forever.
"Gentlemen I now turn your attention to Article 15(C), which reads 'Spain sucks, forever and ever and ever, the UK is better. Spain is a silly country and accepts that the UK is superior, agreeing thankfully to supply the UK with no less than 2 billion tons of tea each day in recognition of the difference between both nations awesomeness."
Small constituencies should then be lumped together. The same MP could represent different people. Pitcairn however is sui generis: whatever consituency their integrated into, their vote is going to be diluted.Never mind Hong Kong, what about Pitcairn? If it's okay for an island population of c.2'000 people to have an MP of their own, then why not for an island population of c.60 people too?
Not unlike the Senator for the Australian Northern Territory also represents Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands even though they're otherwise absolutely unrelated to the NT politically, culturally and geographically.
Not on that but I was thinking more along the lines of maritime borders, airspace rights and the like in view of modern laws and conventions plus perhaps a clause allowing Gibraltar to vote for independence if they ever decided to leave rather than having to re-join Spain.